For many people, one of the best parts of the holiday season is the food! Delicious treats, gourmet feasts and an excuse to indulge a bit more than usual. For those on the autism spectrum, however, those societal norms are anything but exciting. If you have a child with autism, you’re likely already well aware of their food preferences and aversions, but navigating this around the holidays can be a bit trickier than usual. Well-meaning family can make this more difficult with comments or pushiness around what your child will or won’t eat. While they may have the best intentions, drawing attention to the child’s preferences is going to create a more stressful situation than necessary. What it comes down to is often simply a lack of understanding about why those with autism struggle with food, which can be a multi-faceted issue. So, why do kids with autism struggle with food sensitivities?
How Sensory Sensitivities Impact Eating For Those with Autism
It’s no secret that sensory processing issues are a large part of the autism experience, and that extends to food and drinks. An altered perception of sensory input can impact:
Taste: Taste preferences differ among all people, with or without autism. However, when sensory sensitivity is heightened, it can make foods taste too strong, bland, bitter or otherwise strange to those with autism. What tastes mildly sweet to a neurotypical person may feel overwhelmingly sweet to someone with autism. Subtle background flavors, like bitterness, might overpower the intended taste altogether.
Texture: The sensation of food in one’s mouth may not even be a passing thought to some, but for those with autism it can be the deciding factor on if they are able to eat it or not. Soft, mushy foods can feel slimy, crunchy foods may seem loud as they are chewing, or the combination of ingredients can be overwhelming with too many competing textures all at once.
Smell: Children with autism are very sensitive to scent, which is closely tied with taste. If something smells too strong, unpleasant or “off,” they will not be appetizing to the child.
Temperature: If an autistic child has a preference for a certain temperature of food - warm, cold, room-temp - it’s common for that to become the only food they want to consume.
Appearance: Bright colors, presentation of the food on the plate or certain shapes can create aversions to certain foods when the way their brain perceives them is negative.
It’s typically a combination of these things that can cause food sensitivities and aversions. While many people find the sensory aspects of food to be the most enjoyable part, it can be a nightmare for those on the spectrum, causing sensory overload with the simultaneous processing of different tastes, textures, smell and appearance.
Non-Sensory Related Struggles with Food For Those On The Spectrum
Many food struggles when it comes to autism surround sensory sensitivities, but there are other reasons it can be difficult:
Oral Challenges: Sometimes, children with autism have struggles with oral-motor skills that can impact chewing and swallowing.
GI Issues: It’s common for children with autism to also struggle with gastrointestinal problems, such as reflux, bowel issues, food intolerances/allergies and gluten sensitivities. After experiencing discomfort related to a certain food, they are less likely to want to engage in it again.
Behavioral Patterns: For difficult eaters, once a food has made their “approved” list it’s easy to reinforce those preferences over time. While the holidays are not the time to attempt to introduce new foods or challenge those patterns, there are ways to safely and slowly attempt to integrate new foods in your child’s life. Bloom Behavioral Healthcare can help provide the tools needed to make these adjustments.
Anxiety: Fear of the unknown can exacerbate already present anxiety and lead to refusal to try new things.
Strategies For Supporting Autistic Children with Food Aversions
During the holiday season, it’s best to simply stick to what you - and your child - know. Plan ahead by ensuring some of your child’s safe foods will be present throughout holiday gatherings, even if you have to prepare and pack them up to bring yourself. Avoid uncomfortable confrontations by reaching out to family prior to events to ask them to pass on offering unknown foods, advice or judgement surrounding your child’s eating habits. Once life has gone back to normal, there are ways to help your child expand their palate:
Go Slow: Take things slow, gradually including new foods alongside familiar ones. Keep it a no pressure event by explaining it’s their choice and it’s just an option if they’d like to try something new. If they don't want to, no acknowledgment necessary. Eventually, curiosity might win and they’ll find something new to enjoy!
Make It Fun: They say you shouldn’t play with your food, but “they” may just be wrong! Find creative ways to explore new foods without the pressure to eat them. Incorporate touch and smell in a playful way to get them used to those new aspects without the expectation of tasting them.
Change It Up: If you are aware of certain elements your child dislikes, find a way to modify it to their liking. For example, raw baby carrots may be too hard and crunchy, but steaming them to soften them up may be just what your child needs to give them a taste!
Work Together: Let your child help! If they feel comfortable with it, include them in meal prep to allow low-pressure exposure to new foods. Answer their questions and talk about why you like certain dishes, without trying to persuade them to try anything right then.
Be Predictable: Consistency is key. Establish a predictable routine around meal times, which will bring comfort to the act of eating. With less anxiety, they may eventually be open to trying new things.
Bring In The Professionals: Once behaviors have been set and reinforced, it can be difficult to find new ways to do things, especially for those on the autism spectrum. Luckily, you don't have to do it alone! Find a professional local to you that can provide advice and a treatment plan specific to your child’s specific challenges.
How ABA Therapy Can Help Food Struggles in Children with Autism
Depending on your child, specialists such as ABA therapists, occupational therapists, feeding therapists, dietitians or a combination may be the best option to move forward. Your child’s pediatrician should be able to suggest the best path for your child’s needs. When it comes to ABA therapy, Bloom Behavioral Healthcare offers compassionate, evidence-based solutions tailored to your child’s needs. If food struggles are a concern, we can incorporate those goals into your child’s treatment plan using a variety of techniques including gradual introductions, positive reinforcement, communication skills, routine setting and more. For more information on how ABA therapy with Bloom can help your family, contact us today!
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